Planning on dropping Health Insurance. Change my mind.

[Gale Hawkins]

Time is coming they will just total us out like a car and sell the rest of the body for parts, research, etc.

 

[MossRoad]

Time is coming they will just total us out like a car and sell the rest of the body for parts, research, etc.

 

[Travelover]

Interesting...two years ago I had a knee replacement. Everything was pre-approved through my doctor's office with the insurance company....doctor, anesthesiologist...hospital etc.... About 6 months after my surgery....got a bill from a PA who helped manipulate my knee while I was under....the bill was for over $5,000. Called my insurance co.....they said he was out of network. ...........

Others in your situation have been turned over to collection or had wages garnished. That has to be infuriating when you are recovering from surgery as it is, and probably have lost work.

 

[hawkeye08]

I learned recently that the paperwork saying I am responsible for paying they make me sign when going to ER is not actually required. It is how the "extra" doc and PA fees get billed that are not covered by my insurance. I have been advised to politely decline signing that document, stating that my insurance takes care of it and any extra billing would need to be taken up with them. Now I have to remember that when going to ER (which almost never happens to me)..

 

[ultrarunner]

Many are also tripped up when they arrive and asked for co-payment... it happens everyday.

Some will walk out and others call someone and others might ask for Care Credit or a Payment Plan...

In defense... people are often hard to reach... one lady was on a cruise the 2 weeks before her surgery... missed the pre-op appointment, didn't check her mail and was very upset...

In an age of instant communication many have never been so hard to reach.

 

[goeduck]

Time is coming they will just total us out like a car and sell the rest of the body for parts, research, etc.

Or for dog food.

 

[oosik]

All these stories - a sea of rejection - my biggest concern. You have some type of accident that requires medical care - other than what you can provide at home. So your hunking butt get hauled to the emergency room - FIRST thing they ask - "let us see your insurance card". You have no such card - Well, put a bandaid on it - give you an aspirin - send you on your way.

NOW - you could be faced with pain, loss of mobility, disfigurement for the remainder of your miserable life. I have medical coverage - not so much for correction of what the accident might have done but because I don't care to live another 20, 30 or 40 additional years with pain, loss of mobility and disfigurement.

For those of you that can see little or no difference between the two situations - - well, let's hope you never have a situation serious enough or that causes sufficient pain that you finally DO see the difference.

 

[D2Cat]

Oosik, the situation you describe, by putting on a bandaid and aspirin and send you off, doesn't happen. You get hauled in and medicated as required and then there is the battle for the payment. In an emergency situation proof of insurance isn't an issue at the point of life or limb.

 

[Travelover]

Oosik, the situation you describe, by putting on a bandaid and aspirin and send you off, doesn't happen. You get hauled in and medicated as required and then there is the battle for the payment. In an emergency situation proof of insurance isn't an issue at the point of life or limb.

That's true, but for long lasting treatments like cancer or dialysis, you can't just pull into an emergency room and come out well. So, no insurance and you are pretty well screwed.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Everything you buy in life is a waste of money until you need it, then thank God you have it. I can't imagine what it would be like to have just one car. If it needs repair even warranty you're s.o.l. for a while.
My neighbor years ago couldn't understand why I didn't have a generator, so I bought a good one. Of course I've never needed it, I start it a couple times a year.
Better safe than sorry.
"Be prepared" as they said in the scouts I remember over 50 years ago.